Bulgarian universities ranked among the top institutions in the national higher education ranking were honored during the tenth anniversary edition of the “Academic Oscars,” organized by 24 Chasa. The event brought together rectors of leading universities, academic leaders, and former and current Ministers of Education.

According to official data from the Ministry of Education and Science, the number of international students choosing Bulgaria to continue their education has doubled over the past five years. The country now ranks first in the European Union in attracting foreign students in the field of medicine.

During the ceremony, Emil Angelov, Chief Executive Officer of Glavbolgarstroy Holding, presented the first prize to Assoc. Prof. Arch. Gichka Kutova, PhD, Rector of the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG). The university was awarded first place in the professional field of “Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy.”

“Glavbolgarstroy employs more than 3,000 people, around 800 of whom are construction and technical managers. The majority are graduates of UACEG. I observe their work on a daily basis and can confidently say that this award is well deserved,” Angelov stated as he presented the distinction to Assoc. Prof. Kutova.

“UACEG is a university that teaches a craft, and architecture must be learned in practice—on the construction site. We are increasingly developing partnerships with business in order to build the skills of young people—the future builders of Bulgaria—so that they can meet the challenges and dynamics of the time we live in,” Assoc. Prof. Kutova said upon receiving the award.

A special panel dedicated to the future of the education system and workforce development focused on the key competencies future professionals must possess in order to adapt to rapidly evolving professions, as well as on how the education system can support the development of leaders.

A special address to the guests was also delivered by the President of Bulgaria, Ms. Iliana Yotova. “Everything begins with education—with what we are able to give children in secondary school and later in higher education. Every young person has ambition, and if we help transform individual ambition into a shared ambition of our nation, it means we have done our job,” Yotova stated before the audience.